Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Anyone who attempts to do anything on their own gives themselves up to be vulnerable. Taking a stride out of place, or going against the grain - raises opinions and criticisms. Or risks of being turned down even from simple things. I watched a great speaker on TEDTalks - Brene Brown and The Power of Vulnerability. You can view it here.

This really hits home for me as I can really relate to feeling vulnerable starting my photography business. I had this little voice saying "what if it doesn't work out?" I was putting my passion out in the open for everyone to see, and well with the power of the internet it has spread. And then clients hired me. With my eye for photography I captured these amazing couples wedding days and provided them with images I am passionate about. I tell my couples my goal is for them to walk away and feel ecstatic about their experience. Putting myself out there is a risk. And it's hard and incredibly rewarding. Without risking it all, would I ever have gotten to where I am now... No. Your dream, your passion will never come easy. It comes to those who bust their butts - frankly speaking. And are okay if things don't go to plan...

There's a Biblical verse in Psalms that has gotten phrased down to:

"When men plan, God Laughs"

We have these elaborate plans of where we want to be and how we're going to get there. And that plan happens, but of corse with bumps and changes along the way.

Brene Brown talks about individuals who have "courage to be imperfect, the kindness to be kind to themselves, and lastly they had connection as a result of authenticity. They were willing to let go of who they should be, and embrace who they are. They fully embraced vulnerability. What made them vulnerable, made them beautiful and that it is necessary.' 'They didn't talk about it being comfortable or being painful, it was simply necessary. Like the willingness to say 'I love you' first. The willingness to do something where there are no guarantee and breathing through when getting bad news."

We are social creatures and we thrive on connection. I think that's why I've been so passionate about per suing photography as a career. I have the opportunity to meet so many couples and be apart of a huge day. I will be there throughout the day sharing in those moments from the sidelines of all the emotions. Prior to even being at their wedding day we have our consultations, we get to know each other and then we correspond like pen pals (yay, for e-mail). We go out on their engagement session - dedicated to enjoying themselves and I get to know more about this couple and then I get to be witness at their wedding. I feel honoured that such a gift is given to me.

Some of my friends say because I love weddings so much that I'm an adrenaline junky, photographing the whole day with no mental breaks and following the all the emotions of a wedding day. I'm just a girl who believes in joy, love and marriage. The ups and downs in relationships, every relationship and the high of highs that we have in those relationships.

And with that today's photographs are from last week, I photographed engagement photos on the island and got to spend some time with my momma. We baked together, some Portuguese "Masa" and I took notes (so I can make it at home, yum). I'm going to try and make it and there's probably a good chance it will not taste the same. But I'm going to try anyway.